Canaveral Lock

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Canaveral Lock - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Welcome to Canaveral Lock, the largest and busiest navigational lock in Florida. Located between Port Canaveral’s west turning basin and the Banana River, Canaveral Lock was constructed by the US Army Corps of Engineers in 1965 to secure safe passage of vessels from the Banana River to Port Canaveral and the Atlantic Ocean. The lock reduces tidal current velocities in Canaveral Harbor, prevents entry of hurricane tides into the Banana River and limits salt water intrusion. This lock was built larger than originally planned to allow passage of the Saturn rocket’s first stage boosters used to put Apollo rockets into space. Canaveral Lock services commercial barges and tows, NASA, commercial fishermen and tour boats and recreational vessels. The lock chamber is 600ft long and 90ft wide. The average water differential is 1-2 feet depending on the tides. Tide differential can be as high as 4ft.

Our hours of operation are 6am - 9:30pm seven days a week. Last lockage daily at 9:00pm. Vessels up to 12ft draft can be accomodated. Lock operators monitor VHF Channel 13 for transit requests. Life jackets are required to be worn by all personnel on deck throughout the lockage. Green light means clear to enter. Red light means stand-by, unsafe to enter. All vessels cleared to enter must tie up to the timber walls with bow and stern lines for safety. Follow all instructions from the lock operators. Only release lines and exit when cleared to do so. The Florida State Highway 401 Bridge just east of the lock monitors VHF Channel 9 for openings. Canaveral Lock will suspend operations anytime there is sustained winds of 35 knots or when lightning activity is detected within 5 miles of the Lock.

There is no smoking in the locks and no fishing in the approaches or the lock chamber. DO NOT ANCHOR anywhere in the approaches or lock chamber. Thank you, your safety is our number one priority.